Conveyer



April 14, 1931; L. BUCK CONVEYER Filed Jan. 26, 1929 MIMI- 0' W ,H 1 i HW. H

3 Sheets-Sheet l Invert Z01 L uaien Back April 14, 1931. 1.. BUCK1,800,432

' CONYEYER Q Filed Jan. 26, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 .752 0672 for: ZwvlenBack Patented Apr. 14, 19 31 units LUCIEN BUCK, .OF NORTH Anni/is,MASSACPIUSE-TTS, ASSIGNOR or ONE-HALF T JAMES nunrnnmaoninn coiniennv,non-Tn ADAMS, mnssaonusnrrs, A CORPORAK TION MASSACHUSETTS CONVEYERApplication filed January 26, 1929. Serial No. 335,155.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a conveyer having anapronmade up of a plurality of plates, which, when in alignment, abut attheir edges and including means to prevent material from falling betweenthe edges of the adjacent plates when not in conveyor of thetypementioned a hinge as sembly carried by the plates, independent of thechains on whichthe plates are supported.

portions of the hinge units projecting beyond ing. surface adapted toconvey loose material and from which any material having a tendencymoved by scraping.

Other objects of the invention reside in specific details of theinvention pointed out inthe specification and claims .and shown intheaccompanying drawings inwhich:

Fig. 1 is aplan view of a portion of a conveyer embodying one'iiorm ofthis invention,

certain parts being broken away;

Fig. 2 is .a side elevation of such aconveyer, parts being broken awayin order to,

, show the contact between an apron-plate and a hinge assembly when thatplate is out of alignment with an adjacent plate;

Fig. 3 is a, sectional view taken along the line 33 of Fig. 1 andshowing the j'oinder of one end of an apron-plate to the link of one ofthe conveyer chains;

Fig. 4: is an enlarged sectional view of an end hinge unit taken alongthe line 4-4 of Fig. 1 with the apron-plates in alignment;

Fig. 5 is a View similar to Fig. 4: with the apron-plates out ofalignment when rounding a chain sprocket;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional view of an intermediate hinge unit takenalong the line 6-'6 of Fig. 1 with the apron-plates in alignment; j j

Fig. 7 isa View similar to Fig. 6 with the apron-plates out ofalignmentwhen round {'1 ing a chain'sprocket;

to stick can'be quickly and easily ree is provided with a bracket .25which may be ous apron.

Fig. 8 is a front elevation of an inter-.

mediate hinge unit; i

. Fig. 9 is an 'enlarged plan view'of oneof the end hinge units and aportion of the adjacent intermediate hinge unit;

Fig. 10 is a front elevation of one lug of an end hingeunit and aportion of an adj acent intermediate hinge unit v Fig. 11 is a plan viewof a portion of'a conveyer embodying another form of this A invention,-certain parts being broken away; and Fig. 12 1s a sectional View takenline 1212 on Fig. 1 1. I 7

along the The conveyer selected for illustration. in the drawings:comprises a work-carrying apron on a pair of parallel longitudinallyextending chains 21. each chain being made up of a plurality of links 22connected I by pins 23. The inner bar 24 of each link are in alignmentthe edges otthe adjacent W plates abut (see Figs. 1, 4 and Q). Mountedupon each plate 80 at the sides thereofiisa flanged guard 32 which maybe secured in place by bolts 31.

During the travel of the out of alignment leaving spaces 33 between theedges of adjacent plates. When employed for carrying loose material,some or" the material will fall through the spaces 33; and one object ofthis invention is'to prevent such loss of material by providing acontinunected by a hinge assembly 35 which comprises a pair of end hingeunits 36 and a plurality of intermediate hing-e units 37 which extendbetween the end hinge units; Each end hinge unit includes a pair'oiinterlocking lugs 38. '39, the lug 38 being here shown as provided witha' to ngue 40- which conveyer' around the chain sprockets theapron-plates shift The apron-plates 30 are con extends into a recess 41formed in the lug 39 by a pair oi projections 42. A hinge pin 43 extendsthe length of the distance between the chains 20 and 21 passing throughsuitably formed bearing apertures 44, 45 in the end and intermediatehinge units respectively. The center line of the pin 43 coincides withthe center line of the pins 23 so that the chains 20, 21 will maintainthe same relation to the apron-plates and hinge assemblies throughoutthe travel of the conveyer.

One lug of each end hinge unit is secured to the under side of oneapron-plate 30 while the other lug is secured to the under side of theadjacent apron-plate 30. The intermediate hinge units are securedalternately to the adjacent apron-plates 30 as shown in Fi 1. In orderto strengthen this hinge assembly there are provided a pair of ironangle bars 46 which are coextensive in width with the apron-plates 30.The hinge units are clamped between the bars 46 and the plates 30 by anysuitable means, rivets 47 being shown inthe drawings. The units 37 arepreferably hollowed out on the under side to provide a recess 50 throughwhich the hinge pin 43 passes without engagement, the

bearingapertures 45 being provided in each end of the intermediate unit.

"C-onveyers of the type here shown have been used for carrying maceratedreclaimed rubber through a dryer and are provided with a series ofperforations through which the/air can be forced through the mass duringthe travel of the apron through the dryer. In the present instance theplates 30 are shown provided with a series of perforatiens which areprovided over substantially the entire surface of the plate between theguards 32. The securement of the hinge assemblies to the plates, ofcourse, prevents the extension of the perforations to the very edge ofthe plates. However, in order to makethe perforations as extensiveaspossible, over the bed of the conveyer, each intermediate unit 37 isprovided with a recess 52 at the edge which is secured to the plate.Thus, as shown particularly at 53 in Fig. 1, the perforations 55 can beextended almost to the edge of the plate.

The portions of the end lugs 40 and 42' and the unit 37 which extendbeyond the edges of the plates are curved, being here shown as struck onan arc with a radius.

equal to the'distance from the center of the hinge pin 54 to the underside of the apronplate 30, so that when'the conveyer is flexed as inpassing around a sprocket and the apron-plates are thrown out ofalignment, the under edges of the apron-platesremain in contact with thecurved surfaces of the hinge units. The spaces 33 are thus closed by tie hinge assemblies 35 so rial can not escape between the edges of theplates.

conveyer.

that the mate- Figs. 11 and 12 illustrate another form of conveyer whichdiffers from that previously described in the construction of the hingedmeans by which the apron plates are oined. The parts common to bothembodiments are designated by like reference characters and obviouslyneed not be described in detail.

The apron-plates 30 are here shown connected by a hinge assembly whichcomprises a pair of interlocking units 61. Each unit 61 is here shown asconsisting of an elongated strip 62 provided with a flange 63 along oneedge and a series of spaced projecting loops 64 along the other edge.The loops 64 of each unit are so arranged that when assembled withanother unit the loops 64 of each unit will enter and fill the spacesbetween the loops 64 of any other unit. The loops 64, when a pair ofunits 61 are assem: bled, form a continuous pocket extending across theconveyer from one side to the other which receives a hinge pin 65. Thecenter line of each hinge pin 65 should coincide with the center linesof the pins 23 at each end thereof, so that the relation of the chainsto the apron-plates will not change during the travel. of the conveyer.

The units are secured to the apron-plates 30 by rivets or similar means,and the perforations in the plates extend to the edges of the units.Thesurfaces of the loops 64 are curved preferably upon the arc of acircle having its center at the centerof the hinge pin 65. As aresult,.when theconveyer is flexed the under edge of each apron plateremains in contact with the surfaces of the loops carried by theadjoining plate. 'Moreover, the loops 64 of each unitare so formed thatthey till the spaces between the loops 64 of the unit with which it isinterlocked. Hence the spaces 33 between the edges of the adjacentplates are closed by the assemblies 60 so that no material can escapefrom between the plates during the travel of the It will be noted thatin both embodiments the hinge assemblies which connect the abuttin edgesof the plates extendentirely across them and support and stiffen theedges thereof. Thus any tendency of the edges to leave their normalposition is prevented so that after flexing they will return to exactalignment and hence will form a continuous metal apron asdistinguished'from the usua'l type of metal apron in which the platesare spaced an appreciable distance apart and hence are not applicablefor conveyi'n, ;v granular or fluid material as is a conveyer embodyingthis invention. f

Moreover, reclaimed rubber has a tendency to stick to the plates of aconveyer and can only be removed by vigorous scraping. A conveyerembodying this invention presents a smooth carrying surface and thuspermits such treatment, therebeing'no pockets or recesses on the surfacein which the rubber cancollect andfrom which it can be removed'only withgreat difficulty.

. T he conveyer particularly set forth herein has many uses other thanthat mentioned above. 7 adapt the conveyer for carrying moistmateri'alnot only through a dryer but otherwise, the moisture being free'to'escape. Fur thermore, since the apronis of steel plates the conveyer canbe used for any heavy material such as rocks, ore and the like or forany purpose in which fabric or continuous aprons 1. A conveyercomprising a pair of parallel longitudinally extendinglinked chains andplates carried by said chains, each plate being removably secured at theends, to a link of one chain and a corresponding link of the otherchain, and being longitudinally coextensive with the links to which itis secured so that when an adjoining pair of plates are in alignmenttheir adjacent edges abut, and a hinge assembly carried jointly by eachadjacent pair of plates and having arcuately;

formed portions which close the spaces formed between the edges of theplates when not in alignment.

2. A. conveyercomprising a pair of parallel longitudinally extendinglinked brackets on the inner side bar of each link of each chain, platesextending bctweensaid chains, the ends of each plate resting upon andbeing secured to brackets carried by an opposing pair of links, and ahinge assembly extending transversely substantially the entire width ofthe plates, said assembly having arcuately formed portions which closethe spaces formed between the edges of ad jacent plates, said hingeassembly being car-' ried by the plates independently ofv said chains. v

3. A conveyer comprising apair of parallel longitudinally extendinglinked chains, plates carried between said chains and attached to thelinks thereof, said. plates, when in alignment having their adjacentedges abutting, and ahinge assembly carried ointly by each adjacent pairof plates, to connect the plates and having portions formed to engageThe perforations-55 in the apron.

embodiments of this invention chains,

the inner sidezofthe plates toc'losethe spaces formed between theedges.of the plates when said plates are inotin alignment, thesurface of saidplates being 'providedwith perforations through which moisture from themate rial carried by the conveyer .may escape.

4. A conveyer comprising a pair of parallel longitudinally extendinglinked chains,.plates carried between said chains and attached to thelinks thereof, and a hinge .assemblycarried jointly by each adjacentpair of plates having portions. formed, to connect the plates and closethe spaces formed therebetween when the edges ofthe; plates are not inalignment to maintain a substantially con- I 1 tinuous surface, thehinge assembly comprising units each secured to a plateand a hinge pincarried ,by said units, the surface of said plates being provided withperforations which extend to the units of the hinge assembliescarried bythe plates;

5. A conveyer comprising a pair of parallel longitudinally extendinglinked chains, a plurality of plates having adjacentedges abutting whenadjoining plates are'i n align ment,.each plate being secured toandcarried by a pair of opposite links,"and a hinge assembly connectingeach "pair: of adjacent plates, said hinge assembly including .coactinghinge units, each unit being secured to a plate and consisting ofastrip-provided along one edge :with a series of spacedproj'ectingloops,-the loops ofone unit being so arranged that when assembled withanother unit the loops of each unit will enter and fillthe spacesbetween the loops of th e other unit.

. .6. A, conveyer comprising a pair'of parallel longitudinally:extending linked chains, a

plurality of plates having adjacent edges abutting whenadjoiningip-latesarein align ment, each plate being secured to andcarriedby a pair of opposite links, anda hinge assembly connecting eachpairof adjacent plates, said hinge assembly including coact ingv hingeunits, each unit beingv secured to a plate and consisting ofa st upprovidedailong oneedge with a series of spaced projecting loopsytheloopsof one unit being so arranged that when assembled with another unit theloops of each unit wil'lenter and fill thespaces between. the loopsofthe'other unit, and a hinge pin passed through saidloops 'to securethe units in interlocked relation.

7. A conveyer comprising a pair of parallel longitudinally extendinglinked chains, a

plurality of plates, each plate being secured toandl'carried by a pairof opposite links, and

a hinge assembly connecting each pair of ad acent plates, sald hlngeassembly including coacting hinge .units, each :unit being securedlldto. a plate andconsisting of a strip provided along one edge with aseries of spaced projecting loops, theloops of one unit being arrangedthat when assembled with another unit the loops of each unit willent'er-.an(l

fill thespaces between the loops of the other unit, and meansengagingsaid loops to secure the units in interlocked relation.

8. A conveyer comprising a pair of parallel longitudinally extendinglinkedchains, a

plurality of plates, each plate being secured to and carried by a pairof opposite links, and a hinge assembly connecting each pair of adjacentplates, said hinge assembly includ ing coacting hinge units, each unitbeing secured to a plate and consisting of a strip pro vided along oneedge with a series of spaced projecting loops, the loops of one unitbeing so arranged that when assembled with another unit the loops ofeach unit will enter and fill the spaces between the loops of the otherunit, and a hinge pin passed through said loops to secure the units ininterlocked relation, the surfaces of the loops being curved so that theunder edge of each plate will remain in .contact with the surfaces ofthe loops of the unit carried by the adjoining plate. 9. A conveyercomprising a pair of parallel longitudinally extending linked chains, aplurality of plates, each plate being secured to and carried by a pairof opposite'links, and a hinge assembly connecting each pair of adjacentplates, and providing a substantially smooth conveyer surface when theconveyer is flexed, said. hinge assembly including coacting hinge units,each unit comprising a pair of lugs, one lug being secured to one plateand the other lug being secured to the other plate.

10. A conveyer comprising a pair of parallel longitudinally extendinglinked chains, a plurality of plates, each plate being secured to andcarried by a pair of opposite links, and a hinge assembly connectingeach pairof adjacent plates and providing with the plates asubstantially smooth conveyer surface when the conveyer is flexed, saidhinge assembly including coacting end hinge units, and in termediatehinge units, each end unit comprising a pair of lugs,'one lug beingsecured to one plate and the other lug being secured to the other plate,and each intermediate unit 7 being secured to a plate.

fi l

11. A conveyer comprising a pair of parallel longitudinally extendinglinked chains, a plurality of plates, each plate being secured to andcarried by a'pair of opposite links, and a hinge assembly connectingeach pair of adjacent plates, said hinge assembly including a hinge rodcoacting and hinge units, and intermediate hing units, each end unitcomprising a pair of lugs, one lug being secured to one plate and theother lug being secured tothe other plate and each intermediate unitbeing securedto plate portions of the units projecting beyond the edgeof the plates to s which they are secured and being curved upon theirupper surfaces concentric with the hinge rod. w

12. In a conveyer having plates the adj a-. cent edges of which ab-utwhen the plates are in alignment, a hinge assembly carried by each pairof adjacent plates comprising endhinge. units and intermediate hingeunits, each unit-including a pair of lugs, one lug being secured to oneplate and the other lug being secured to the other plate, and saidintermediate units being secured toeither of said plates, andreinforcing angle bars secured to the lower surfaces of said units.

7 13. In a conveyer having plates the'adjacent edges of which abut. whenthe plates are in alignment, a'hinge assembly carried by each pair ofadjacent plates comprising end hinge. units and intermediate hingeunits,

each end unit including a pair of lugs, one lug being sec-ured'to oneplate and the other lug being secured to the other plate, and saidintermediate units secured to either of said plates, the portions ofeach intermediate unit below the plate to which it is secured beingrecessed, and said plates being provided with perforations which extendup to the edge of such recessed portions.

Signed by me at North Adams, Mass, this I twenty-fourth day of January,1929.

LUCIEN BUCK;

